I would like to welcome all players, coaches and supporters who have made the journey to Paris for this year’s ISST Division 1 Rugby Tournament. The British School of Paris and it’s community are proud once again to be hosting the tournament and I hope that you have a very enjoyable time with us, This year marks a new departure for ISST Rugby in that we now have two divisions and the prospect of promotion and relegation adds an extra dimension to an already highly competitive weekend. The six school teams here in Paris represent the top teams on our international circuit and each will be trying their utmost to win the coveted trophy and avoid slipping into the lower division.

The ISST organisation prides itself on providing sporting opportunities for young people and, in particular, promoting the idea of friendship and sportsmanship across borders. I hope that this year’s Division 1 Rugby Tournament reflects these important values and I wish all the teams the very best of luck and hope that they attain their best performances possible.

This year also sees the retirement of two very important figures associated with ISST Rugby; Derek Lewis from the British School of Paris and Mark Wynne from the British School in the Netherlands. Both have been at the heart of rugby in their respective schools for many years and are responsible for giving literally hundreds of boys the opportunity to take part in and enjoy the wonderful sport of rugby. It is people such as Derek and Mark who are the lifeblood of sport in schools and the community and their influence on the lives of so many cannot be overestimated. On behalf of all those associated with ISST Rugby and also those involved in rugby at the two schools, I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their years of dedicated service to rugby and wish them all the very best in their well deserved retirement.

Richard Ball

Tournament Director